At running back or H-back, Tide's Jalston Fowler still a 'big handful' for opposing defenses

Alabama running back/H-back Jalston Fowler is shown during the Alabama A-Day football game at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., Saturday, April 14, 2012. (The Birmingham News/Mark Almond)

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama -- Alabama's man on the move was the source of repeated praise after Monday's first of two practices.

Jalston Fowler,
as he's done frequently throughout the preseason, opened the morning practice with the tight ends and H-backs before rejoining the running
backs. He's left a good impression on his new position buddies.

Senior tight end Michael Williams said the 6-foot-1, 241-pound Fowler has blended in nicely with the group as an option at H-back.

"Fowler
fits the mold of a tight end," Williams said. "He's big, he's strong,
he has good blocking skills, he can catch the ball out of the backfield.

"As good as he is, you don't want him coming off the field, so he can help us at H, too."

Fowler,
who was Alabama's No. 1 running back during the spring while Eddie Lacy
nursed his toe injury, carried the ball seven times for 34 yards and a
touchdown in Saturday's scrimmage. He also caught three passes for 40
yards, though it's unclear whether those receptions came as a running
back or H-back.

Williams
said Fowler's presence at H-back could make it easier for him to find
openings in the pass game because it moves defenders "off the ball" and
"out of the hole."